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Atonement

Play trailer Poster for Atonement R 2007 2h 3m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 216 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
This sweeping English drama, based on the book by Ian McEwan, follows the lives of young lovers Cecilia Tallis and Robbie Turner. When the couple are torn apart by a lie constructed by Cecilia's jealous younger sister, Briony, all three of them must deal with the consequences. Robbie is the hardest hit, since Briony's deception results in his imprisonment, but hope for Cecilia and her beau increases when their paths cross during World War II.
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Atonement

Atonement

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Critics Consensus

Atonement features strong performances, brilliant cinematography, and a unique score. Featuring deft performances from James MacAvoy and Keira Knightley, it's a successful adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Aug 23, 2018
It is an elegant and sophisticated film, one that never condescends or shirks from the complexity of the novel and its grand themes - war, love, sex, memory, betrayal, redemption - but it's also strangely unfeeling. Go to Full Review Christopher Orr The New Republic Sep 22, 2008
Atonement is a film out of balance, nimble enough in its first half but oddly scattered and ungainly once it leaves the grounds of the Tallis estate. Go to Full Review Alonso Duralde MSNBC May 1, 2008
2/5
[U]ltimately, the movie amounts to rolling lawns, lovely costumes, and characters that simply fail to resonate. Go to Full Review Liam Lacey Original Cin 5 days ago
B+
Atonement, a first feature from Reed Van Dyk, frequently zigs when you expect it to zag, questioning familiar narratives of American military suffering and absolution.  Go to Full Review Cameron Meier MeierMovies.com Sep 9, 2025
5/5
Best film of the 21st century. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Sep 7, 2024
5/5
…Atonement might look from its glamorous shell like the usual British fantasy about WWII romance, but has something tougher, more meta and more timeless inside… Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 28, 2026 Atonement = a *4* star Movie... See more Johannes S @johnny_cecotto_15 Aug 31, 2026 Broke my heart. It's a bit stretched, but the third act delivers. Gorgeous shots! See more Cinema S @cinema_sensei Aug 21, 2026 I really wasn't prepared for how devastating the ending would be. The story kept me emotionally invested, but that final reveal completely changed how I looked at everything before it. The performances, atmosphere, and emotional weight all work beautifully, but the ending is what stayed with me most. It's the kind of film that finishes and leaves you sitting there for a while, just processing what you watched. See more Juris O @Juris100 Aug 5, 2026 The film is good but a bit drawn out. See more Aye G @AyeGeeYT Jul 11, 2026 And the award for the least likable movie character of all time goes to... Atonement took me on an emotional roller coaster and left me conflicted in the best and worst ways. James McAvoy is fantastic, and I only wish we had gotten more time with Keira Knightley's character before the story took its heartbreaking turns. The performances, cinematography, and emotional weight are all excellent, but I can't honestly say it lived up to the enormous hype for me. Even so, it's a beautifully crafted film that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. See more Soaraia B @RT17644618 Jun 23, 2026 I love a tragic love story, but this was like really tragic. Not for the faint of heart. See more Read all reviews
Atonement

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Cast & Crew

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Joe Wright

Director

James McAvoy

Robbie Turner

Keira Knightley

Cecilia Tallis

Romola Garai

Briony - Age 18

Saoirse Ronan

Briony - Age 13

Brenda Blethyn

Grace Turner

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Atonement

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Movie Info

Synopsis This sweeping English drama, based on the book by Ian McEwan, follows the lives of young lovers Cecilia Tallis and Robbie Turner. When the couple are torn apart by a lie constructed by Cecilia's jealous younger sister, Briony, all three of them must deal with the consequences. Robbie is the hardest hit, since Briony's deception results in his imprisonment, but hope for Cecilia and her beau increases when their paths cross during World War II.
Director
Joe Wright
Producer
Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Paul Webster
Screenwriter
Christopher Hampton
Distributor
Focus Features
Production Co
Relativity Media, StudioCanal, Working Title Films, Universal Pictures
Rating
R (Language|Disturbing War Images|Some Sexuality)
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 7, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$50.9M
Runtime
2h 3m
Sound Mix
Dolby SRD, DTS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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